Men's mental health focus of new Squamish health centre
Change of Pace pilot program offers mentorship to men struggling with mental health, addiction
A new men's health centre in Squamish, B.C. is trying to make it easier for men to ask for help with their mental health and addiction issues.
"We come from a culture where if I'm struggling with things I will just white knuckle it, instead of accepting support from my community," said Zac McHugh, founder of the Change of Pace men's health centre.
The frontline support worker — and Olympic weightlifting coach — launched Change of Pace to provide physical and emotional mentorship and coaching for men, to guide them to a healthier lifestyle.
"Every day I'm exposed to men with nowhere to go and nothing to do and no mentorship or guidance," he said.
'I saw somebody I wanted to be'
McHugh says the idea of providing men with guidance grew out of his own experiences; his father was a heroin addict and his mother's second husband was an alcoholic.
Growing up, he suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
"A lot of my life I struggled, and I struggled with addiction and could not find my place," he said.
But a male mentor turned his life around.
"I feel like we learn a lot from the men in our lives... I saw somebody I wanted to be," he said.
"I started exposing myself to healthier communities and teaching crossfit and yoga and weightlifting."
McHugh hopes the new program will help other men find their place in the world and move forward.
Change of Pace runs Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Rebel Fitness in Squamish. Anyone interested in finding out more can email McHugh directly at zjmchugh@yahoo.com.
To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelled Helping men overcome the stigma of seeking help with the CBC's Stephen Quinn on The Early Edition.